Fiscal cliff deal could have impact locally

Speaker of the House John Boehner, R-Ohio, and Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., right, the Republican Conference Chair, arrive at the House of Representatives for the final vote on emergency legislation to avoid a national "fiscal cliff" at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Published: Wednesday, January 2, 2013 at 11:02 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, January 2, 2013 at 11:02 p.m.

The unemployed in Marion County will continue to get financial help once their state jobless benefits end.

Federal unemployment benefits — which kick in once state benefits are exhausted — were slated to end Wednesday. But they were spared when Washington lawmakers reached a "fiscal cliff" settlement late Tuesday.

Also dodging the cuts was the Marion County program that provides hot meals to seniors.

Federal unemployment benefits — which kick in once state benefits are exhausted — were slated to end Wednesday. But they were spared when Washington lawmakers reached the "fiscal cliff" settlement late Tuesday.

The vote for extending federal unemployment benefits came about the same time Florida reduced its unemployment benefits from 23 weeks to 19 weeks. The latter move was unrelated to the fiscal cliff; rather, it was a state decision triggered by Florida's improving unemployment rate.

The fiscal cliff vote ensures that the federal unemployment benefits will be funded for all of 2013. How much Floridians are entitled to was not immediately available. The Florida Department of Employment Opportunity is working with the U.S. Department of Labor to determine whether only those people already receiving Emergency Unemployment Compensation were eligible, or if unemployed people who become eligible during 2013 also will receive the federal funding.

In Marion County, there were 1,616 unemployed people getting EUC benefits as of Dec. 22, according to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.

As of Nov. 30, there were 6,543 Marion County residents getting some form of unemployment compensation.

"Certainly, having the extension of the extended benefits does give (the unemployed) a little more breathing room, but of course these benefits are in no way intended to replace a paycheck," said Laura Byrnes, Workforce Connection communications manager.

Workforce is a non-profit organization that trains and helps people without jobs find new work. Its funding comes predominately from state and federal grants.

People receiving the federal funding still are required to seek work, Byrnes said, adding that people must apply for at least five jobs per week.

"It's a stopgap," she said of the unemployment benefits.

Marion County's unemployment rate during November was 9.2 percent, up from October's 9.1 percent. During January 2010 the county's unemployment rate peaked at 14.3 percent.

During November 2012 there were 12,323 Marion residents looking for work, according to the state.

"It's very popular and very important to our clients," said Jemith Rosa, Marion Senior Services' community care director.

The non-profit organization supplies about 650 hot meals per day to seniors, about 200 of whom dine at congregate dining sites. The rest of the meals are delivered to homes.

If the program had not been spared, automatic spending cuts would have meant a reduction of more than 10,000 meals.

Local businesses and their employees also will be affected by the fiscal cliff legislation, which would let a 2 percent, temporary Social Security payroll tax cut expire. Middle- and lower-class households would be spared from significant income tax increases, however, while rates for single people making more than $400,000 and married couples making more than $450,000 would increase.

Transportation also is being cited as a local funding concern. Local governments' transportation efforts are often contingent on the level of federal funding they receive.

<p>The unemployed in Marion County will continue to get financial help once their state jobless benefits end.</p><p>Federal unemployment benefits — which kick in once state benefits are exhausted — were slated to end Wednesday. But they were spared when Washington lawmakers reached a "fiscal cliff" settlement late Tuesday.</p><p>Also dodging the cuts was the Marion County program that provides hot meals to seniors.</p><p>Federal unemployment benefits — which kick in once state benefits are exhausted — were slated to end Wednesday. But they were spared when Washington lawmakers reached the "fiscal cliff" settlement late Tuesday.</p><p>The vote for extending federal unemployment benefits came about the same time Florida reduced its unemployment benefits from 23 weeks to 19 weeks. The latter move was unrelated to the fiscal cliff; rather, it was a state decision triggered by Florida's improving unemployment rate.</p><p>The fiscal cliff vote ensures that the federal unemployment benefits will be funded for all of 2013. How much Floridians are entitled to was not immediately available. The Florida Department of Employment Opportunity is working with the U.S. Department of Labor to determine whether only those people already receiving Emergency Unemployment Compensation were eligible, or if unemployed people who become eligible during 2013 also will receive the federal funding.</p><p>In Marion County, there were 1,616 unemployed people getting EUC benefits as of Dec. 22, according to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.</p><p>As of Nov. 30, there were 6,543 Marion County residents getting some form of unemployment compensation.</p><p>"Certainly, having the extension of the extended benefits does give (the unemployed) a little more breathing room, but of course these benefits are in no way intended to replace a paycheck," said Laura Byrnes, Workforce Connection communications manager.</p><p>Workforce is a non-profit organization that trains and helps people without jobs find new work. Its funding comes predominately from state and federal grants.</p><p>People receiving the federal funding still are required to seek work, Byrnes said, adding that people must apply for at least five jobs per week.</p><p>"It's a stopgap," she said of the unemployment benefits.</p><p>Marion County's unemployment rate during November was 9.2 percent, up from October's 9.1 percent. During January 2010 the county's unemployment rate peaked at 14.3 percent.</p><p>During November 2012 there were 12,323 Marion residents looking for work, according to the state.</p><p>Marion Senior Services faced cuts to its senior meals program, but the fiscal cliff deal saved the day.</p><p>"It's very popular and very important to our clients," said Jemith Rosa, Marion Senior Services' community care director.</p><p>The non-profit organization supplies about 650 hot meals per day to seniors, about 200 of whom dine at congregate dining sites. The rest of the meals are delivered to homes.</p><p>If the program had not been spared, automatic spending cuts would have meant a reduction of more than 10,000 meals.</p><p>Local businesses and their employees also will be affected by the fiscal cliff legislation, which would let a 2 percent, temporary Social Security payroll tax cut expire. Middle- and lower-class households would be spared from significant income tax increases, however, while rates for single people making more than $400,000 and married couples making more than $450,000 would increase.</p><p>Transportation also is being cited as a local funding concern. Local governments' transportation efforts are often contingent on the level of federal funding they receive.</p><p>Staff writer Morgan Watkins contributed to this report.</p>